Complement Killing of Yersinia enterocolitica and Retention of the Bacteria by Leucocyte Removal Filters

We report studies on the complement sensitivity of four strains of Yersinia enterocolitica , serotypes O:3, O:9, O:5,27, and O:20, isolated from blood units involved in transfusion fatalities. Complement in fresh CPD plasma killed Y. enterocolitica within 4 h at 22°C in 100% of the experiments. The bactericidal action was serotype and complement activation pathway dependent. Both classic and alternate pathways seemed to be active, but the latter to a lesser degree. When the classic pathway was blocked by chelation of Ca²⁺ no complete killing was obtained. Complement did not enhance or condition Yersinia for leucocyte filter retention. Direct removal of Yersinia by filtration was also related to serotype; all strains were reduced by filtration in heat-inactivated plasma, and all except serotype O:5,27 were reduced in Ca²⁺ -chelated plasma. Our findings may explain why plasma products and platelet concentrates are rarely involved in Yersinia sepsis related to transfusion.     

Man-Machine Interfaces in Computer Assisted Surgery

The clinical potential of computer assisted surgery (W) has been more and more widely acknowledged since CAS systems have been introduced into the operating room (OR) theater.

Especially the improvements in safety and accuracy are remarkable and strengthen the ties between surgeons and engineers. Tumor stereotaxis was introduced to neurological surgery in the early 1980s, and currently systems with and without robotic navigation are in use for specific medical indications. Recently, solutions for computer assisted orthopedic surgery were developed and applied to various anatomical regions. However, with the establishment of CAS in vivo, a new complex of problems, which was not present in the laboratory setup, was introduced: the man-machine interface.

Currently, the complexity of available CAS systems requires the presence of at least one system engineer (often called the “operator”) in the OR. As a consequence, there is no possibility for direct communication between the surgeon and the machine or software.

Most of the program steps involved in CAS and choices to be made intraoperatively have to be transferred to the software by means of communication of the surgeon with the operator. Particularly, the establishment of a relation between the virtual object (i.e., a medical image) and the surgical object (i.e., the patient), often denoted as “matching” or “skeletal registration” requires intensive interaction of the surgeon with the computer. A literature survey revealed that no CAS system in clinical use exists without a system engineer or a comparable person, and our clinical experience indicated that the matching process is a weak point in most systems. Because it appears to be contradictory to cost-reduction efforts in health care to have a highly paid specialist in the OR, this research evaluates strategies to facilitate the man-machine interface with the final goal of establishing a direct control of the system by the surgeon or the medical personnel traditionally present at surgery. Options to be investigated include 1) a CAS control panel (virtual keyboard) as an integrated component of the existing navigation system and 2) introduction of a commercial voice-recognition system. The implementation of these strategies into the existing CAS setup at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Inselspital (University of Bern) and clinical experience gained are reported     

Perceptions of the at-risk nonsmoker: are potential intervention topics being overlooked?

This research is supported in part by Arizona Disease Control and Research Commission (ADCRC), Grant #9904 (M. Burgoon, PI). This study assesses how adolescent nonsmokers, at-risk smokers, and smokers differ in perceptions of smoking harms, benefits, and safety. While small differences exist when comparing attitudes and knowledge concerning short- and long-term benefits of smoking, large differences arise when attitudes and knowledge concerning the short-term benefits and the safety of casual smoking are compared.     

Ainhum (dactylolysis spontanea): A Radiological survey of 6000 patients

Dactylolysis spontanea is an idiopathic condition affecting the fifth toe, and sometimes other toes, that is frequently bilateral, with lesions in different stages. Between 1977 and 1999, a total 6000 radiographic studies of the feet were reviewed in a mainly African American population in Chicago, Illinois. After an initial screening based on the Cole criteria, 581 patients were selected and re-examined, and amplification techniques were performed. After reviewing the complementary exams, 102 patients were diagnosed with dactylolysis spontanea or ainhum. Soft-tissue constriction was the most frequently presented radiological sign on the initial screening. Kurtosis at the digit plantar fold and marked rotation of the fifth toe were normal findings in asymptomatic patients. Demographics, comorbidities, and radiological findings were analyzed in the selected population. Associated diseases occurring in these patients appeared to have no specific etiologic correlation with ainhum. African Americans and the dark-skinned population are affected exclusively by this condition, presumably due to the fibrogenic tendency of these individuals. Early diagnosis and accurate staging of ainhum are facilitated by radiological examination of the feet. The findings suggest that this condition is underdiagnosed and overlooked because its low prevalence and variable clinical presentations that might mimic more common etiologies, including localized trauma.     

有机氮源对红霉素发酵影响的具体分析

红色糖多孢菌的摇瓶培养基中使用不同有机氮源时红霉素的效价明显不同。通过对不同有机氮源所含营养成分的逐步回归分析,我们得到有机氮源中的苏氨酸为影响红霉素效价的主要因子。最后向对照培养基中添加苏氨酸,则使红霉素的效价比对照培养基提高了22.85%。     

肺癌患者血清肿瘤特异生长因子检测及临床意义

目的 :研究TSGF在肺癌诊断、疗效判定中的临床应用价值。方法 :利用生化比色法测定了 18例肺良性病变患者 ,2 4例肺癌患者及 9例肺癌患者治疗后血清中TSGF水平。结果 :肺癌患者未经治疗前其血清TS GF水平及阳性率明显高于肺良性病变患者 ,其敏感性为 75 .0 % ,特异性为 77.8%。经有效化学治疗后肺癌患者血清TSGF明显下降。结论 :血清TSGF检测对肺癌的诊断、疗效观察有较重要的意义。